Sickness
"You're ill? Then just work from home."
You are on sick leave and are still supposed to answer emails or do tasks.
§ 3 EntgFG / § 19 BBiG
The boss may NOT do that
No — anyone unfit for work does not have to work.
Being on sick leave means you are unfit for work: you do not have to work, not even from home, answer emails or be reachable. Your pay continues for up to six weeks (§ 3 EntgFG). The company may not pressure you to work anyway or disadvantage you for recovering. You should behave in a way that helps you get well quickly — going for a walk or shopping is allowed if it does not hinder recovery. Brief information that only you can give (e.g. where a key is) is reasonable as an exception.
What the law says
§ 3 (1) EntgFG – Continued pay
An employee prevented from working by incapacity due to illness through no fault of their own is entitled to continued pay for up to six weeks.
What you can do
- Reply politely that you are on sick leave and state when it ends.
- Switch on an out-of-office message and turn off the work phone.
- Working anyway can endanger your recovery — and your insurance cover is unclear.
- Repeated pressure: involve the JAV, works council or IHK/HWK.
Email template for your trainer
Subject: Availability during my sick leave
Dear [name of trainer],
I am signed off sick until [date] and cannot take on any tasks during this time, not even from home.
As soon as I am well again, I will gladly take care of [task].
Kind regards
[Your name]